Device for retaining a portable electronic component

ABSTRACT

A device capable of retaining a portable electronic component includes a frame having a rear surface with a circular depressed region. A handle coupled to a handle retainer is movable between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions. The device includes a circular plate residing within the depressed region of the frame, the circular plate having an opening and a recessed handle receiving well having a depth capable of housing at least a portion of the handle in its retracted position. A rotatable handle retainer is seated within the opening of the circular plate to be retained between the circular plate and the rear surface of the frame in a plurality of rotational positions. A locking ring engages with the frame in order to retain the circular plate within the depressed region of the frame in manner that permits the circular plate to rotate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.14/949,065, filed on Nov. 23, 2015, which is a continuation patentapplication of application Ser. No. 13/933,901, filed on Jul. 2, 2013,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,210,977, which is a continuation application ofapplication Ser. No. 13/085,598, filed on Apr. 13, 2011, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,490,789.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to devices and cases for storing,retaining, holding and protecting portable electronic components such assmart phones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many types of portable electronic components and devicesincluding personal digital assistants (PDAs) computers, smartphones,mobile phones, satellite phones, cellular phones, pagers, music players,digital cameras, global positioning systems, and portable game consoles.Typically, these devices are battery powered, so that people can carryand use the devices during their daily lives. Because such portableelectronic devices are somewhat fragile and used to carry valuablepersonal information, many people protect their devices using some formof protective case. Depending on the particular case design, these casesprotect the back, side, and front of the devices from scratches, dings,drops, and other physical damage.

Use of protective cases may diminish the ability to effectively use theportable electronic device by, for example, restricting access to thescreen, jacks, ports, or other input/output features of the device. Inaddition, certain cases may diminish the ability of the device toreceive and send electromagnetic waves, which carry communication to andfrom the device. Other forms of devices unduly increase the overall sizeof the device or make the device more cumbersome to hold, store, or use.A need exists, therefore, for an improved case for portable electronicdevices. Preferably, the improved case would protect the device andincrease its usefulness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a device capable ofretaining a portable electronic component includes a frame having afront surface and a rear surface and a handle coupled to the rearsurface of the frame, wherein the handle is movable between a retractedposition and a plurality of extended positions with respect to the rearsurface of the frame along an axis of rotation that is horizontallyoffset from a vertical centerline of the frame. The rear surface of theframe may include a recessed handle receiving well having a depthcapable of housing at least a portion of the handle in its retractedposition. The handle may have a depth dimension approximately equal tothe handle receiving well of the rear surface of the frame such that thehandle in its retracted position is generally flush with the rearsurface of the frame.

The frame may also include a circular opening having a ledge, whereinthe ledge comprises two or more notches defining a plurality ofrotational positions in which the handle may be rotationally retained.In certain embodiments, the device may include a handle retainer havinga semicircular segment coupled to a flexible tab via a semicircularhinge, wherein the semicircular hinge of the handle retainer has aconvex surface having a plurality of engaging grooves that enable thehandle to be positioned in a plurality of extended positions. The handleof the device may include an extension having a slot for receiving theflexible tab of the handle retainer, wherein the extension is upwardlyangled such that the center of rotation of the handle is placed down ina direction toward the frame. The slot of the extension may comprise aninterior edge that engages the engaging grooves of the handle retaineras the handle is moved from its retracted position to an extendedposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following detailed description,appended claims, and accompanying drawings, wherein the drawingsillustrate features in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating the principal components of oneembodiment of the device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is front view of one embodiment of the frame of the device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front of the frame;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back of the frame;

FIG. 5 is a front view of one embodiment of the handle retainer of thedevice;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the handle retainer;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the handle retainer;

FIG. 8 is a front view of one embodiment of the handle of the device;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the handle;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the handle;

FIG. 11 is a front view of one embodiment of the backing plate of thedevice;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the backing plate;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the backing plate;

FIG. 14 is a front view of one embodiment of the closure plate of thedevice;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the closure plate;

FIG. 16 illustrates the handle of the device in an extended position forlandscape viewing mode;

FIG. 17 illustrates the handle of the device in an extended position forportrait viewing mode;

FIG. 18 illustrates the handle of the device in a desktop viewing mode;

FIG. 19 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the device ofthe present invention;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the device;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the front side of the alternativeembodiment of the device;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the rear side of the alternativeembodiment of the device housing an electronic component.

FIG. 23 is an exploded view illustrating the principal components of thealternative embodiment of the device;

FIG. 24 illustrates a front perspective view of the circular plate ofthe alternative embodiment of the device;

FIG. 25 illustrates a rear perspective view of the circular plate of thealternative embodiment of the device;

FIG. 26 illustrates a front perspective view of handle retainer of thealternative embodiment of the device;

FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective view of the locking ring of thealternative embodiment of the device; and

FIG. 28 illustrates the alternative embodiment of the device with thehandle in an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the principal components of one embodiment of thedevice 10 for retaining a portable electronic component, such as amobile phone, which include a frame 12, a handle 14, a handle retainer16, a backing plate 18, and a closure plate 20.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4, the frame 12 is preferably designedto wrap around the edge of and retain the electronic component. As such,the frame 12 may be fabricated for use with various cellular phoneshaving different sizes and thicknesses. As illustrated, the frame 12 maybe formed in a rectangular shape because almost all cellular phones areformed in rectangular shapes. The rear side of the frame 12 includes arear surface 24 that contacts the rear surface of the component andpreferably includes a sidewall 22 extending around the perimeter of theframe 12 and outwardly from the rear surface 24 forming a cavity intowhich the component rests. In other embodiments, the device 10 may notinclude a sidewall extending around the perimeter of the frame 12. Insuch an embodiment, the device 10 may be secured to the portableelectronic component using other conventional means, such as fastened tothe component using screws or a pressure adhesive. The frame 12 may befabricated from a wide variety of materials, including plastic, rubber,leather, silicone, etc.

The frame 12 includes an opening 30 for housing the additionalcomponents of the device 10. The opening 30 is preferably circular, thuspermitting the handle 14 to rotate within frame 12 as described below. Aledge 28 having a series of notches 26 is formed within the interior ofthe opening 30. The notches 26 define a plurality of rotationalpositions in which the handle 14 may be rotationally retained. The ledge28 is preferably recessed within the opening 30 from both the front andrear surfaces of the frame 12 in order to seat other components of thedevice 10 on each side of the ledge 28 as described below. The frame 12also preferably includes a recessed handle receiving well 32 designed tomate with the handle 14. The front surface of the frame may also have acutout 34 to aid in removing the handle 14 from its retracted position.

The frame 12 may include a number of apertures or openings 36 designedto comport with, and provide access to, any jacks, cameras, buttons,ports, scroll balls, or any other comparable device contained on themobile phone. The frame 12 may also include a nameplate 38 or otherornamental features.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the handle retainer 16, which preferably includes acircular segment 42 coupled to a flexible tab 44 via a semicircularhinge 46. The convex surface of the semicircular hinge 46 includes aseries of engaging grooves 48, which enable the handle 14 to bepositioned in a plurality of extended positions. The distal end of theflexible tab 44 of the handle retainer 16 includes a protrusion 50 thatengages with the notches 26 formed in the ledge 28 of the base.Additionally, the lower surface of the circular segment 42 includes alocking member 52, which locks the handle retainer 16 in place in theclosure plate 20.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the handle 14 having a perimeter section 60designed to mate with and be retained in the recessed handle receivingwell 32 in a retracted position. The handle 14 includes afinger-receiving opening 62 preferably a shape to accommodate two orthree of the user's fingers as the handle 14 is placed in an extendedposition. The handle 14 includes an extension 64 having a slot 66 forreceiving the tab 44 of the handle retainer 16 as described in greaterdetail below. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the extension 64 is preferablyupwardly angled such that the center of rotation of the handle 14 isplaced down in a direction toward the frame 12. This feature decreasesthe overall depth of the device 10. The interior edge 68 of the slot 66of the extension 64 serves to engage the engaging grooves 48 of thehandle retainer 16. The handle 14 further includes a recessed region 70having a depth approximately the same as the height of the tab 44 of thehandle retainer 16.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate one preferred embodiment of the backing plate 18,which is shaped to sit on the ledge 28 of the opening 26 in the frame 12flush with the rear side of the frame. The backing plate 18 includesthree recessed wells 72, each designed to receive locking protrusionsformed in the handle retainer (locking member 52), and the lockingmembers 80 in the closure plate 20. The backing plate 18 furtherincludes a channel 74, into which the extension 64 of the handle 14rotates as the handle 14 is extended from its retracted position. Thebacking plate 18 further includes a retainer well 76, into which theflexible tab 44 of the handle retainer 16.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate closure plate 20, which rests on the uppersurface of the ledge 28 of the frame 12. The closure plate 20 ispreferably shape to mate with the handle 14. The lower surface of theclosure plate 20 includes one or two locking members 80, which mate withthe recessed wells 72 in the backing plate 18.

In certain embodiments, the device 10 may include the entire frame 12 asdepicted in FIGS. 2-4. For example, the device 10 may include the handle14, the handle retainer 16, the backing plate 18, and the closure plate20 incorporated directly into the portable electronic component.Alternatively, these components (handle 14, handle retainer 16, backingplate 18, and closure plate 20) may be adhered or attached to the rearsurface of the portable electronic component, perhaps using some portionof the frame 12 (e.g., without the sidewall 22). In yet anotheralternative, these components may be incorporated into or otherwiseattached to a more conventional case for the portable electroniccomponent.

Having described each of the individual components of the device 10, wenow describe the manner in which the components interact and operate.Backing plate 18 is seated into the opening 30, resting on the lowersurface of the ledge 28. The tab 44 of the handle retainer 16 is slidthrough the slot 66 of the handle 14. The combination of the handle 14and handle retainer 16 are then place onto the front side of the frame12 such that the handle 14 rests within the recessed handle receivingwell 32 and the circular edge of the circular segment 42 of the handleretainer 16 rests on the front surface of the ledge 28. Finally, theclosure plate 20 is seated onto the ledge 28 and the tab 44 such thatthe locking members 80 are received into the recessed wells 72 of thebacking plate 18. These components may then be sealed together, forexample, by gluing, thermal bonding, mechanical attachment, or othersuitable means. A mobile device such as a phone may then be placed intothe rear side of the frame 12.

The handle 14 may be moved from its original retracted position (seatedinto the handle receiving well 32) into one of a plurality of extendedpositions. By placing one finger under the cutout 34 of the frame 12,the user is able to lift and rotate the handle 14 into an extendedposition. During this process, the interior edge 68 of the slot 66 ofthe handle 14 engages with one of the plurality of engaging grooves 48of the handle retainer 16. The interior edge 68 of the slot 66 and theengaging grooves 48 of the handle retainer 16 engage with each other andform a ratcheting mechanism that can be used to retain the handle 14 ina particular extended position relative to the frame 12. By sequentiallyextending the handle 14, the interior edge 68 may moved from oneengaging groove 48 to another, thereby capturing the handle 14 at one ofa plurality of extended positions as shown in FIG. 16. This hinge andratcheting system provides the mechanism for coupling the handle 14 tothe protective device 10 of the present invention and for allowing thehandle 14 to open, close, and possibly adjust the angle of the device.As can be seen in a number of the Figures, the axis of rotation of thehandle 14 is offset horizontally from the vertical centerline of thedevice 10 in order to increase the size of the handle 14, including thefinger-receiving opening 62.

Moving the handle 14 into an extended positions serves at least one of anumber of functions. First, as the handle 14 is extended, the user mayplace two to three fingers into the finger-receiving opening 62 of thehandle while holding his or her hand completely open. As such, the usermay hold the phone (either for viewing or near his or her ear forlistening) without the need to wrap any portion of the user's fingersaround the side of the component. In the case where the component is acellular phone having its antenna located along the periphery of thephone, the absence of the user's fingers touching the side of the phone,as well as the displacement of the user's palm from contact with thephone, leads to an increase in reception and transmission capability.Additionally, this manner of holding a mobile phone will be morecomfortable for a number of users (such as those with arthritis orphysical handicaps) as there is no need to bend the fingers to hold thephone in place. Of course, the finger-receiving opening 62 may be formedin a variety of sizes and configurations without departing from thespirit of the invention. Thus, the finger-receiving opening may be twoor more separate openings (one for each (or more) fingers or may besized to accommodate from one to four fingers of varying sizes.

The extended handle 14 also permits the device 10 to be used forupright, hands-free viewing of the device within the device 10 at anumber of angles in a number of landscape and portrait viewing modes.The handle 14 is both pivotally and rotationally coupled to theremainder of the components. FIG. 16 illustrates an example of landscapeviewing mode. FIG. 17 illustrates an example of portrait viewing mode.FIG. 18 illustrates another example of a modified landscape mode—adesktop viewing mode that may be suitable for use in an officeenvironment for reading emails, using the phone in speaker mode andother uses. In order to place the device in one of these viewing modes,the user extends the handle 14 and then rotates the handle to thedesired rotational location. As the user rotates the handle, theprotrusion 50 of the handle retainer 16 engages with and is retained inone of the plurality of notches 26 in ledge 28 of the frame 12. Thus,the device 10 may include features to both lock the handle 14 in one ofa plurality of extended positions and one of a plurality of rotationalpositions. These various positions may make the device 10 more suitablefor communication, viewing, entertainment, etc.

Thus, the handle 12 can be placed in an extended position in which thehandle 14 extends outwardly from the frame 12. As the handle 14 isfolded inward, the handle 14 can also be placed in a retracted positionin which the handle 14 is disposed within the handle receiving well 32in which the handle 14 in its retracted position has a collapsedthickness that is the same or substantially the same as the thickness ofthe frame 12 outside of the well 32—the handle 14 is preferablydimensioned to fit within the opening of the well 32 when the handle 14is in its retracted position.

FIGS. 19-28 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a device capable ofretaining a portable electronic component, which may be more suitable tolarger electric components such as tablets. The principal components ofthe device 100 preferably include a frame 102, a handle 104, a handleretainer 106, a backing plate 108, and a locking ring 110, all assembledtogether into a unitary device.

As illustrated in FIGS. 19-22, the frame 102 is preferably designed towrap around the edge of and retain an electronic component such as atablet device, ebook device, small computer, etc. As such, the frame 102may be fabricated for use with various devices having different sizesand thicknesses. As illustrated, the frame 102 may be formed in arectangular shape although other shapes are within the scope of theinvention. The interior side 103 of the frame 102 includes a surfacethat preferably contacts the rear surface of the component andpreferably includes side walls 114 that may extend around one side, butpreferably two or more sides, of the frame 102 and outwardly from theinterior surface 103 forming a cavity into which the component rests. Inother embodiments, the device 100 may not include any sidewallsextending around the perimeter of the frame 102. In such embodiments,the device 100 may be secured to the portable electronic component usingother conventional means, such as fastened to the component usingscrews, pressure adhesive, or snap on, snap into pressure fit. The frame102 may be fabricated from a wide variety of materials, includingplastic, rubber, leather, silicone, wood, metals, etc. The frame 102 mayinclude a number of apertures 118 of varying sizes and shapes toaccommodate access to the electronic component, such a power ports,cameras, headphone jacks, and the like.

As illustrated in FIGS. 21-23, opposite the interior surface 103, whichis in contact with the electronic component when in use, the back sideof the frame 102 includes a depressed region 116 offset from the rearsurface 112 of the back side of the frame 102 for housing the additionalcomponents of the device 100. The depressed region 116 is preferablycircular, thus permitting the remaining components of the device 100 torotate within frame 102 as described below. The depressed region 116preferably includes a ledge, which may, in one embodiment, be formed bya series of locking protrusions 120 extending about the periphery of thedepressed region 116, upon which the plate 108 and the locking ring 110at least partially rest in order to secure the components into thedepressed region 116. The ledge formed by the locking protrusions 120may include a means for securing the locking ring 110 in place. Forexample, each of the locking protrusions 120 may include a channel 121designed to receive a portion of the locking ring 110 as describedbelow. Thus, the locking protrusions 120 interact with the periphery ofthe locking ring 110 in order to secure the locking ring 110, and thushandle 104, plate 108, and handle retainer 106, in the frame 102. Inaddition, the plate 108 may rotate on the ledge formed by the outwardlyfacing surface of the locking protrusions 120 as described below. Theframe 102 may also include an opening 122 through which a portion of therear surface of the electronic component, for example, the portioncontaining a logo, may be seen.

When the device 100 is assembled, circular plate 108 rests on the ledgeof the frame 102 formed by the series of locking protrusions 120. Asshown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the circular plate 108 includes a ledge 124formed about its periphery onto which an inner portion of the lockingring 110 rests. The plate 108 also preferably includes a recessed handlereceiving well 126 designed to mate with the handle 104. The plate 108also includes a first opening 125 designed to mate with the handleretainer 106. As depicted in FIG. 25, on the side of the plate 108opposite the handle receiving well 126, the outer periphery of theopening 125 may include a ledge 127 upon which the handle retainer 106rests upon assembly of the device 100. The ledge 127 may include aseries of detents 129 which interact with protrusions 148 of the handleretainer 106 in order to temporarily retain the handle retainer 106 (andthus the handle 104) in a fixed rotational location. The plate 108 mayalso include a second opening 128 designed to be aligned with theopening 122 of the frame 102 in a certain rotational position of theplate 108.

Handle 104 preferably includes a perimeter section 130 designed to matewith and be retained in the recessed handle receiving well 126 in aretracted position. The handle 104 includes a finger-receiving opening132 preferably a shape to accommodate two or three of the user's fingersas the handle 104 is placed in an extended position. The handle 104includes hinge portions 134 each having a pin hole 136 there through.Thus, the handle 104 may vary from a retracted position in which thehandle 104 is stored in the handle receiving well 126 to an extendedposition as described below.

Handle retainer 106 is shaped to seat within the opening 125 of theplate 108 opposite the handle receiving well 126 and rests on the ledge127. The handle retainer 106 includes hinge portions 140, including pinsdesigned to go through the pin holes 136 in order to hold the handle tothe handle retainer 106 and allow the handle to rotate along the axisformed at the hinge portions 140 and to extend away from the frame 102.The handle retainer 106 may rotate within the opening 125 of the plate108, thus permitting the handle 104 to rotate in its extended positionwithin the opening 125 of the plate 108 as well. The handle retainer 106also preferably includes a cutout region 142 into which a portion of thehandle 104 may reside when the handle 104 is in its fully closedposition. The outer periphery of the handle retainer 106 includes aledge 146 upon which the handle retainer 106 seats within the opening125 of the plate 108 on ledge 127. The ledge 146 of the handle retainer106 may include a series of protrusions 148 designed to mate with theseries of detents 129 formed in the ledge 127 of the circular plate 108.The rotation of the handle retainer 106 (and the handle 104) withinopening 125 may be temporarily locked as the series of protrusions 148on the ledge 146 surrounding the outer periphery of the handle retainer106 engage with the series of detents 129 of the opening 125 of theplate 108.

The locking ring 110 is preferably sized to fit on the ledge 124 of theplate 108 such that a portion of the locking ring 110 extends beyond thedepth of the plate 108 in order to contact the frame 102. In oneembodiment, the locking ring 110 includes a series of locking tabs 144extending outwardly from the perimeter of the locking ring 110, whichmay engage with the channels 121 of the series of locking protrusions120 of the frame 102 in order to secure the locking ring 110 (and thusthe plate 108, handle retainer 106, and handle 104) to the frame 102.Preferably the locking tabs 144 have a depth dimension extendingoutwardly from the perimeter of the locking ring 110 such that thecircular plate 108 may rotate within depressed region 116 of the frame102. Thus, preferably, the distal ends of the locking tabs 144 extendsufficiently beyond the depth dimension of the circular plate 108.

Having described each of the individual components of the device 100, wenow describe the manner in which the components interact and operate. Inorder to assemble the components together, the handle retainer 106 isseated on the ledge 127 in the opening 125 of the plate 108, and thehandle 104 is attached to the handle retainer 106 using the pins throughthe pin holes 136 of the handle 104. Next, the plate 108 and handleretainer 106, with attached handle 104, are placed within the depressedregion 116 of the frame in a manner in which the ledge 124 of the plate108 rests on the ledge of the depressed region 116 (formed, for example,by the series of protrusions 120) of the frame 102. The locking ring 110is then placed over the plate 108 such that the locking tabs 144 arealigned with the open spaces between the locking protrusions 120 of theframe 102. The locking ring 110 may then be rotated slightly such thatthe locking tabs 144 are received into the channels 121 of the lockingprotrusions 120 of the frame 102 to secure the components together byway of a pressure fit. If desired, these components may then be sealedtogether, for example, by gluing, thermal bonding, mechanicalattachment, or other suitable means. A mobile device such as a tabletmay then be placed into the interior 103 side of the frame 102.

As can be seen in FIG. 28, the handle 104 may be moved from its originalretracted position (seated into the handle receiving well 126) into oneof a plurality of extended positions. Moving the handle 104 into anextended positions serves at least one of a number of functions. First,as the handle 104 is extended, the user may place two to three fingers,or for users with small hands such as children, their entire hand, intothe finger-receiving opening 132 of the handle while holding his or herhand completely open. The extended handle 104 also permits the device100 to be used for upright, hands-free viewing of the device within thedevice 100 at a number of angles in a number of landscape and portraitviewing modes. The handle 104 is both pivotally and rotationally coupledto the remainder of the components. Thus, the handle 104 can be placedin an extended position in which the handle 104 extends outwardly fromthe frame 102. As the handle 104 is folded inward, the handle 104 canalso be placed in a retracted position in which the handle 104 isdisposed within the handle receiving well 142 of the handle retainer106.

The device 100 has two rotating aspects. First, the circular plate 108may rotate within the frame 102. Second, the handle retainer 106 withattached handle 104 may rotate within the opening 125 of the circularplate 108. Thus, the device 100 may accommodate a number of positionsfor use.

Although we have described the devices 10 and 100 as having a number offeatures, none of these features should be considered critical as thedevice described herein has a number of novel features that may beincorporated either separately or in certain combinations into a device.In addition, although the devices 10 and 100 has been described ashousing a mobile phone, the devices 10 and 100 may be used with any typeof battery-powered portable electronic device, even such devices that donot necessarily provide telephony functionality. For example, in otherimplementations, the device may be for a portable or handheld gamingdevice, portable or palm-sized computer, personal digital assistant,pager, audio player, video player, or camera. Furthermore, the devicedescribed herein may be suitable for non-electronic components, such ascontainers, luggage, etc.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device capable of retaining a portableelectronic component comprising: a frame comprising an interior surfaceand a rear surface, wherein the interior surface is designed to retainthe electronic component, and wherein the rear surface comprises acircular depressed region; a handle movable between a retracted positionand a plurality of extended positions with respect to the rear surfaceof the frame; a circular plate residing within the depressed region ofthe frame, wherein the circular plate comprises an opening and arecessed handle receiving well having a depth capable of housing atleast a portion of the handle in its retracted position; a locking ringthat engages with the frame in order to retain the locking ring and thecircular plate within the depressed region of the frame; and a rotatablehandle retainer seated within the opening of the circular plate andpositioned between the circular plate and the rear surface of the framein a plurality of rotational positions, wherein the handle is coupled tothe handle retainer.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the locking ringcomprises a plurality of locking tabs extending outwardly from theperiphery of the locking ring and wherein the periphery of the circulardepressed region of the frame comprises a plurality of lockingprotrusions having channels for receiving the locking tabs of thelocking ring.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the locking ring mayrotate within the depressed region such that the plurality of lockingtabs rotate into the channels of the locking protrusions of the frame inorder to secure the locking ring, the circular plate and the handleretainer within the frame.
 4. The device of claim 2 wherein the lockingprotrusions of the frame form a third ledge upon which a portion of thecircular plate rests.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein the locking tabsextend beyond a depth dimension of circular plate to allow the circularplate to rotate within the depressed region.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein the circular plate further comprises a first ledge surroundingthe periphery of the opening of the circular plate and wherein a portionof the handle retainer is seated on the first ledge.
 7. The device ofclaim 6, wherein the handle retainer comprises a second ledge on itsouter periphery that mates with the first ledge of the opening of thecircular plate and wherein the handle retainer rotates about the firstledge of the opening of the circular plate.
 8. The device of claim 7wherein the first ledge of the circular plate comprises a series ofdetents and the second ledge of the handle retainer comprises a seriesof protrusions, and wherein the series of protrusions may engage withthe detents in order to temporarily retain the handle retainer in afixed rotational position.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the handlecomprises a perimeter section designed to mate with and be retained inthe recessed handle receiving well in a retracted position.
 10. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the handle comprises a finger-receivingopening in order to accommodate two or three of the user's fingers asthe handle is placed in an extended position.